Download iOS 6.0.1 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Apple has released a surprise update for owners of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch delivering improvements and bug fixes, including a patch for some widely-reported issues. As usual, the update is free for everyone who owns a supported device.

Weighing in at 47.6 MB as an over-the-air (OTA) update, iOS 6.0.1 is a bug-fix release that patches a handful of issues, some of which have been discussed in the media for a while.

The update fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air, as well as an issue with horizontal lines displaying across the virtual keyboard.

It fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off, another issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances, and improves the reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks.

The Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match has been “consolidated,” Apple says, and the Passcode Lock bug, which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen, has been patched. Lastly, a bug affecting Exchange meetings should no longer bug anyone.

As usual, Apple throws in a few security patches, but the company’s advisory is yet to be published online (more on this when it’s available).

New-generation devices, such as the iPhone 5 and the latest iPads and iPod touches are not listed, though they are targeted by the update.

Apple says “this update is available via iTunes and wirelessly.” Those who prefer to perform a traditional (tethered) update to iOS 6.0.1 can connect their Apple gear to iTunes, select the name of the device in the left pane, and then hit the “Update” button in the right pane.